CEV President and Managing Director headline landmark Scottish Volleyball Cup Finals Weekend

Scottish Volleyball’s Cup Finals Weekend reached new heights this year with a visit that underlined the growing stature of the sport in Scotland with the attendance of CEV President Roko Sikirić and Managing Director Vuk Karanovic. Their presence transformed what is already the pinnacle of the Scottish Volleyball calendar into a genuine showcase of the best Scotland has to offer, with 12 finals spanning Juniors, Schools, Universities, and the Scottish Cup and Plate competitions across a packed and electric weekend.

The three days generated a party atmosphere throughout the venue, with crowds treated to a diverse programme of Volleyball that demonstrated the depth and quality running through the Scottish game from grassroots to elite level. For the CEV's most senior figures to witness it firsthand was a statement of intent and the players, coaches, and volunteers present rose to the occasion.

Friday: Schools and Students Set the Tone

The Schools Cup Finals opened proceedings on Friday evening with two contests that were, in a word, amazeballs! Full of intensity, fine camaraderie, and the kind of close, high-pressure battles that bode extremely well for the future of the game. Broughton High School edged Woodfarm HS 2-1 (25-20, 22-25, 15-8), while North Berwick held their nerve to defeat Cleveden 2-1 (19-25, 25-21, 15-9) in a match that swung dramatically before the final whistle.

The Student Finals that followed were power-filled and technically impressive. Edinburgh University defeated St Andrews University 3-1 (25-17, 23-25, 25-11, 25-18), and Strathclyde produced a dominant display to sweep Heriot Watt 3-0 (25-19, 25-19, 25-16). The evening also marked the end of an era, as it was the final Cup Finals Weekend for Paul McPate, who steps down after a long and illustrious tenure as Scottish Student Sport Volleyball Chair. His contribution to student Volleyball in Scotland has been immeasurable.

Saturday: Plate and Cup Finals Deliver Everything

The Plate competitions opened Saturday’s action in style. In the Women’s Scottish Plate, Dundee produced a tactical masterclass to defeat St Andrews University 3-2 (25-21, 25-17, 17-25, 21-25, 15-12) in a momentum-swinging thriller that demanded every ounce of quality from both sides. MVP honours went to Kat Mloukie. The Men’s Scottish Plate saw NUVOC impose themselves on Glasgow Mets II with power and relentless serving, running out 3-0 winners (25-23, 25-9, 25-19), with Andrew Tait named MVP.

The Scottish Cup Finals brought the curtain down in the most fitting fashion. The Women's Cup went the full distance, with Edinburgh Jets eventually overcoming City of Edinburgh 3-2 (20-25, 25-19, 25-13, 9-25, 18-16) in a gripping contest full of tactical adjustments and high-quality attacking exchanges. Chloe Rutherford was a deserving MVP. The Men’s Cup saw City of Glasgow Su Ragazzi close out the weekend in emphatic style, defeating City of Edinburgh 3-0 (25-14, 26-24, 25-18) with a performance built on powerful serving, an impressive blocking game, and some incredible defensive work. Hilary Simon took the MVP award.

Sunday: The Next Generation Arrives

If Friday and Saturday made the case for the present state of Scottish Volleyball, Sunday's Junior Finals made an equally compelling argument for its future. Four finals showcased the talent emerging through the pathway, with Tartan Talent athletes and National Team players featuring prominently throughout.

The U17 Girls final between Caledonia West and NUVOC was a high-skill, high-tempo contest built on powerful hitting and sharp block work, with Caledonia West claiming the title 2-0 (25-20, 25-14). The U17 Boys final produced a memorable NUVOC derby as Lions faced Lynxes in a match full of skill, creativity, and flair – with several athletes from January’s SCA U18 Championships on show. Lions ran out 2-0 winners (25-20, 25-14) in a contest that highlighted just how much talent is developing within the club.

The U19 Girls final was a thrilling encounter between Caledonia West and NUVOC, with a strong contingent of Tartan Talent Pathway athletes on both sides raising the level throughout. Caledonia West again took the honours, winning 2-0 (25-18, 25-18) in a match that suggested the women’s pathway is in excellent health. Rounding out the weekend, the U19 Boys final between Renfrewshire Renegades and Volleyball Aberdeen Blaze was a high-power contest defined by strong serving and resolute defence - a fitting testament to the work being done across club development and the Tartan Talent programme around the country. Renegades took the title 2-0 (26-24, 25-21), the narrow first set scoreline reflecting just how competitive Scottish junior Volleyball has become. 

A Weekend to Remember

For CEO of Scottish Volleyball, CEV Board of Administration and FIVB Board of Administration member, Margaret Ann Fleming MBE, the weekend represented everything the organisation has worked towards – a diverse, high-quality competition programme delivered in front of the sport’s European leadership: “Welcoming Roko and Vuk to Cup Finals Weekend was a genuinely proud moment for everyone at Scottish Volleyball. This competition brings together the very best of our game across every age group and pathway, and to share that with the CEV’s leadership felt significant. What our players, clubs, coaches, and volunteers produced over those three days is a reflection of years of collective effort and I hope it demonstrated clearly that Scottish Volleyball is a serious, ambitious, and forward-looking member of the European Volleyball family.” 

Head of Development Blair Pettigrew added, “It’s always a fantastic weekend where the whole community come together as the event would not be possible without the players, the coaches, the officials, the volunteers, and the staff and partners. My thanks on behalf of Scottish Volleyball go to all of them.”

The visit of President Sikirić and Managing Director Karanovic was not simply a gesture of goodwill; it was a recognition of Scottish Volleyball’s standing on the continental stage. 

Cup Finals Weekend 2026 was a landmark occasion and the Scottish game has every reason to look forward to what comes next.

Many thanks to Adam Paton for contributing this article